The 2026 World Cup kicked off on 11th June. Unfortunately, as Poland failed to qualify this time, there are no official fan zones (Strefa Kibica) planned, but there will still be the usual sports and big screen pubs showing the games.
Here’s the Kraków Expats Directory guide to where to watch the games.
Despite the very late, kick off times, some at 3am!, a number of venues have applied for a licence to broadcast the matches.
Personally, I’d be more willing to give my patronage to those venues which have abided by the rules, and purchased licenses, which start at 2500 zł, to show the fixtures.
Licensed Fan Zones ‘Strefa Kibica’
- Mykraft, Kapelanka 43
- Free Pub, Sławkowska 4/2
- Gamefloor, Floriańska 18/6
- Garni Hotel, Podbrzezie 4
- Ac Hotel By Marriott, Al. 3 Maja 51
- Forum Fun & Food, Marii Konopnickiej 28
- Polibuda, Warszawska 17
- Holiday Inn, Wielopole 4
- Drevny Kocur, Świętego Jana 6
- Forum Horyzonty, Marii Konopnickiej 28
- Ogród, Piłsudskiego 4
- Trambar, Dajwór 20/1
- Nalej Se, Podgórska 34
- Bulldog Bar, Plac Mariacki 1/4
- Stara Zajezdnia, Św. Wawrzyńca 12
- Hala Lipowa, Lipowa 4d
- Q Hotel, Radzikowskiego 142
- Bezogródek, Focha 41
- Polski Pub, Rynek Główny, 44
- Hotel Leonardo Boutique Old Town, Św. Gertrudy 12
- Hotel Leonardo Boutique Citi Centre, Wygoda 8
- Novotel City West, Armii Krajowej 11
- Hard Rock Cafe, Plac Mariacki 9
- Hotel Ibis Stare Miasto, Pawia 15
- Tribe Old Town, Worcella 8
- Mercure Stare Miasto, Pawia 18b
- Hotel Novotel Centrum, Kościuszki 5
- Bikershot Pub, Czarnowiejska 6
- Piano-Bar, Stolarska 10
- Hilton Garden Inn Airport, Balice, Kpt. Medweckiego 3
- Banialuka, Floriańska 3
- Bull Pub, Mikołajska 2
Look for this sign
World Cup 2026 Schedule at a Glance:
11th-27th June – Group stage
28th June – 3rd July – Round of 32
4th – 7th July – Round of 16
July 9th-11th – Quarter-finals
July 14th-15th – Semi-finals
July 18th – Third place play off
July 19th – World Cup Final
Kick-Off Times
World Cup 2026 matches kick off between 2200hrs and 0600hrs, with around half of the matches kicking off after midnight Central European Time (CET): East-Coast US kickoffs are roughly 21:00–03:00 CEST. West-Coast games; 04:00–06:00 CEST.
Kick-off times in detail (CET)
Important Games
Other games are available !
World Cup Fixtures & Resources
FIFA Scores & Fixtures
FIFA World Cup App – Apple
FIFA World Cup App – Android
Download a World Cup 2026 wallchart (BBC)
World Cup in numbers
- 48 teams
- 37 days
- 104 matches
- 3 host countries
- 16 stadiums (11 US, 3 Mexico, 2 Canada)
Groups
Where to Watch on TV in Poland
You can watch the live games on TVP then go to the ‘settings’ (ustawienia) cog at top right – select Soundtrack (Ścieżka dżiękowa) and choose from PL – EN (Angielski) – no commentary or Audio description. (you’re welcome! 
) See video guide below.
[wp-svg-icons icon=”film” wrap=”i”] www.sport.tvp.pl/transmisje
Fitba Factoids
The SCO v ENG match is the oldest International match in the world, having first been played in Scotland, in 1872.
The oldest football in the world was found at Stirling Castle, dating from 1540-1570, and is now on display at a museum in the city. I lived and worked in Stirling, but haven’t seen it yet.
Read More
If you’re a football fan, you maye be interested in our other football related stories and videos.
Policing the Krakow Derby – ‘The Holy War’ Our article on Policing the Kraków Derby – the ‘Holy War”. We spent the day with the Polish Policja with unrestricted access to the Policing operation.
Tartan Army Guide to Kraków Our Tartan Army football supporters’ guide to Kraków’.
A Scot in Kraków. The founder and editor of Kraków Expats Directory, and our sister sites Kraków TV and Kraków Stories Podcast.
David fell in love with Kraków 25 years ago, making it his home in 2011.
In 2020 he was awarded the title of Kraków’s Ambassador of Multiculturalism, by the President of Kraków, and is also a member of the GlobalScot network, representing Scottish culture and business abroad.
We’re always looking for interesting stories, events, characters or groups to feature. Likewise, if you’d like to join us, as a contributor, please get in touch.
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